Company

Where do we come from?

The roots of AiCuris (derived from 'anti-infective cures') lie in Bayer and its long history of successful research and development of anti-infective drugs. After bringing the blockbuster antibiotic Ciprofloxacin to the market and identifying Moxifloxacin (Avelox®, Avalox®) as a second potent and safe quinolone antibiotic, Bayer has concentrated on various viral indications and on generating novel classes of antibiotics.

This has lead to an early pipeline of exclusively novel compound classes with resistance-breaking properties in all indications.

Based on a decision of Bayer in late 2004 to focus on oncology and cardiovascular risk management , the whole early anti-infective pipeline was transferred to a new company. AiCuris GmbH & Co. KG was founded in March 2006, key experts from Bayer's virology and bacteriology research programmes form its core. AiCuris is lead by Prof. Dr. Helga Rübsamen-Waigmann, the former Head of Anti-Infectives Research at Bayer in the position of the CEO. Before joining Bayer Prof. Rübsamen was scientific and managing director of the Chemotherapeutic Research Institute Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt.

Majority investors in AiCuris are Drs. Strüngmann, the founders and previous owners of Hexal. Bayer still owns a minority share in AiCuris.

"It is my firm conviction that the exceptional background of AiCuris, namely:

a broad and 100% innovative pipeline from one of the leading pharma companies in the anti-infective field
a concentration on specialist markets with high medical need
a team of internationally highly recognized scientists with the know-how of a major pharma company
and the support by our majority investors, the Drs. Strüngmann,

will allow AiCuris to prosper and to bring innovative drugs to the market for patients with severe, life-threatening diseases.